Man arrested for fishing violations

A 28-year-old North Palm Beach man was given multiple notice to appear in court citations on Sunday for spearing a Hogfish in the Upper Keys.

Matthew Vreeland was cited for spearfishing in the Upper Keys, fishing without a license, harvesting an undersized Hogfish, having no diver’s down flag displayed and improper registration numbers displayed.

Deputy Matthew Garrett Bragg was on routine marine patrol on the Gulfside near Mile Marker 74 when he spotted a personal watercraft. A person was diving near the personal watercraft with no dive flag. Deputy Garrett told the diver, identified as Vreeland, of the flag violation. Vreeland claimed to have no catch. Deputy Garrett asked for his registration and Vreeland stated the state numbers affixed to the side of the personal watercraft were “made up” and not the correct numbers. Vreeland stated he was in a hurry and affixed any numbers he had available to he could head down to the Florida Keys for vacation. He stated he did not have a fishing license.

Deputy Garrett saw a spear gun and blue net tied to the back of the personal watercraft. Inside the net was a Hogfish that measured 9.5 inches. The minimum size to harvest Hogfish is 16 inches. Vreeland stated he left his other speargun in the water when he saw law enforcement.

Spearfishing is illegal in state waters from Long Key north to the Miami-Dade County line.

The Hogfish was returned to the water.

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